Important Sites of Buddhist Pilgrimage – Kushinagar, India

Oct 4, 2017 | Views: 499

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A beautiful image of a temple in Kushinagar

(By Tsem Rinpoche)

Why Go on Pilgrimage?

One foot in front of the other, time after time, over hours, over days, over weeks. From the narrow glacial passes of the mighty Himalayas to the arid lands of Saudi Arabia and Israel, and from the foothills of France to towering peaks in China, the pilgrim walks on driven by a love for the Divine.

The act of pilgrimage has always been an important aspect of organised religion. Arduous journeys, sometimes in bare feet, battling the desire for respite within and the elements without, tap into a part of our being that transcends the physical. It is always more a spiritual exercise regardless how taxing it may be on our mortal bodies.

In Buddhism, it is believed that immense spiritual energy remains at holy sites where the Buddha or other holy beings resided, or where great mahasiddhas (Sanskrit: mahasiddha ‘great adept’) had performed enlightened actions. The pilgrim receives powerful blessings simply by his or her presence at these locations as the divine energy of the Universe plants spiritual seeds into the mind stream and opens up merits from past lives.

Many practising Buddhists recognise these merits and their significance. They journey to sacred sites infused with holy energies to gain blessings and also to create the causes to meet future Buddhas and receive their teachings.

Buddha Shakyamuni Himself had recommended sacred pilgrimage for future practitioners. Before He passed into Mahaparinirvana (Sanskrit: mahaparinirvana; Final Nirvana after death), He advised pious disciples to visit four places for inspiration after He was gone:

Kusinara (now known as Kushinagar), where He passed into Mahaparinirvana.

The significance of these sites is further strengthened by Buddhist scriptures which tell us that the Buddhas of the past and the future ages would again appear here to perform enlightened deeds.

Whom might you meet on your pilgrimage? What might you discover? What path might you uncover? Here, we explore the various sacred sites for pilgrims to visit, to connect with the energies of holy beings who came before them and tap into their own potential for enlightenment.

Significance of Kushinagar

Buddha Shakyamuni gave three reasons as to why He had chosen Kushinagar (in today’s northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh) to pass away:

It was the proper venue for teaching the Maha-Sudassana Sutra (Story of the Great King of Glory).

Subhadda, whom Buddha Shakyamuni felt still needed to be given teachings, was there. Subhadda consequently became the last monk to be ordained by Buddha Shakyamuni; upon meditating on the teachings received directly from the Buddha, he swiftly became an arhat (perfected) and entered Parinirvana shortly before Buddha Shakyamuni.

Buddha Shakyamuni foresaw that His disciples would argue over the sharing of His relics. He wanted Doha, a wise and respected old Brahmin of Kushinagar, to mediate the disciples’ disagreements.

Buddha Shakyamuni’s Passing in Kushinagar

According to the scriptures, Buddha Shakyamuni thrice mentioned His ability to remain alive until the end of the aeon to Ananda, His disciple of 20 years. When Ananda failed to decipher the significance of His words, Buddha Shakyamuni decided not to prolong His life span.

Although Ananda immediately appealed to Buddha Shakyamuni to live longer upon realising the implication of His words, Ananda’s request had come too late. After about 45 years of teaching in Kushinagar on the banks of the Hiranyavati river, Buddha Shakyamuni felt He was near the end of His life. Consoling Ananda, the Buddha said,

“Don’t grieve, Ananda!

The nature of things dictates that we must leave those dear to us. Everything born contains its own cessation. I too, Ananda, am grown old and full of years. My journey is drawing to its close; I am turning 80 years of age and just as a worn-out cart can only with much additional care be made to move along, so, too, the body of the Buddha can only be kept going with much additional care”.

Then the Buddha asked Ananda to prepare a bed between 2 Sal trees with its head facing north and He lay in it. When the third quarter of the night drew close, Buddha Shakyamuni asked His disciples three times whether they had any doubts about the teachings or the disciplines. The Bhikkhus (devotees) all stood silent. Buddha Shakyamuni then spoke his last words:

“Not one, Ananda, has misgivings.

All will eventually reach enlightenment. Impermanence is inherent in all things. Work out your own freedom with diligence.”

Then, passing through the meditative absorptions, Buddha Shakyamuni entered Mahaparinirvana. It is said that the earth shook, stars shot from the heavens, the sky burst forth in flames in the ten directions and the air was filled with celestial music.

Upon His passing, Buddha Shakyamuni’s body was bathed then robed once more and wrapped in a thousand shrouds before being placed in a casket of precious substances. After seven days, during which time offerings were made by gods and men, the casket was carried to the place of cremation in a great procession and placed on a pyre of sweetly scented wood and fragrant oils.

However, several attempts to light the pyre failed. This is because Buddha Shakyamuni’s great disciple, Mahakasyapa had yet to pay his respects and was making his way, with 500 students, to pay homage to the Buddha Shakyamuni’s body. After Mahakasyapa arrived, offered prostrations and paid his respects, the pyre spontaneously burst into flames.

After the cremation, only a skull bone, teeth and the inner and outer shrouds remained. As Buddha Shakyamuni had foreseen, there was indeed a dispute regarding the distribution of the relics. The Mallas kingdom within which Kushinagar lay, claimed all the relics of Buddha Shakyamuni’s body but were met with competing claims from the representatives of the other seven kingdoms that constituted ancient India.

Brahmin Doha, assuming his role as Buddha Shakyamuni’s nominated mediator, suggested an equal, eightfold division of the relics between them. This was accepted by the kingdoms; each took their share and eight great stupas were built over them across India.

In time, these relics were again subdivided after King Ashoka decided to build 84,000 stupas. Today, they are contained in various stupas scattered across Asia.

With its rich history and significance to the Buddha’s existence, Kushinagar is today one of the favourite places for Buddhists to go on pilgrimage and is home to a number of attractions.

Main Sacred Places of Kushinagar

Being witness to an event as momentous as Buddha Shakyamuni’s passing, Kushinagar has become home to several sites of religious importance. Here is a brief guide to the three main centres of pilgrimage.

Mahaparanirvana Temple

The Mahaparinirvana Temple is located in the village of Kasia in the new Deoria district. The temple complex consists of a main building with a unique curved roof structure that contains a large 5th century statue of Buddha Shakyamuni and the excavated stupa beside which the temple has been built. Both structures are painted a brilliant pure white.

Mahaparinirvana Temple

Inside the temple lies a statue of Buddha Shakyamuni which depicts him reclining on a bed, in the now-famous pose of the Buddha facing the West while lying on his right side. The statue is 20 feet (6.1 meters) long and is made of Chunar sandstone.

The Reclining Buddha in the Mahaparinirvana Temple

It was excavated in 1876 and made into a living shrine in 1927 by Chandra Swami, a Burmese monk.

Behind the temple stands the 62-foot (19m) white stupa excavated in 1867 known as the Parinirvana stupa. It houses Buddha Shakyamuni’s relics.

Ramabhar Stupa

Ramabhar Stupa is another stupa of great significance in Kushinagar. It stands where Buddha Shakyamuni was cremated, just 1.5km east of the Mahaparinirvana Temple. This stupa stands 49 feet (14.9m) high and is often referred as the Mukut-Bandhan Vihar (Garden of the Bound Crown) in ancient Buddhist texts.

Ramabhar Stupa

Matha Kuar Shrine

The third holy site of great significance is the Matha Kuar Shrine, literally the ‘Forehead Prostration’ Shrine.

Matha Kuar Shrine

Within the building sits a 10 foot (3.05m) Buddha statue. The statue symbolises Buddha Shakyamuni meditating under the Bodhi tree in the Bhumisparsha mudra (Earth-Touching Pose) and is carved out of blue stone.

The 3.05m-high Matha Kuar Buddha statue

Other Sacred Places in Kushinagar

The rich history of Kushinagar lends itself to the existence of an archaeological treasure trove of discovery. In addition to the three sacred places above, Kushinagar is home to many other sites that are worth a visit. These sites include:

Indo-Japan-Sri Lanka Temple

Designed by the Atago Isshin World Buddhist Cultural Association, this temple is a marvel of Buddhist architectural grandeur.

Built as a circular chamber with small stained-glass windows, it houses the famous and beautiful Ashta Dhatu (eight metals) statue of Buddha Shakyamuni, transported all the way from Japan.

Wat Thai Temple

This temple is built on a huge complex with typical yet unique Thai-Buddhist architecture. It is surrounded by lush greenery planted as part of the landscape of the temple grounds.

The Wat Thai was built to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the ascension of King Bhumibol to the Thai throne.

Chinese Temple

Although popularly known as the Chinese Temple, its official name is the Lin Sun Temple and it features architecture which draws from both Vietnamese and Chinese influences. A beautiful and majestic Chinese image of Buddha takes centre stage inside.

The temple is open from sunrise to sunset. It is also possible to stay overnight here; the temple’s management provides free accommodation to pilgrims.

Myanmar Buddha Vihar

Myanmar Buddha Vihar has the honour of being the first monastery in Kushinagar.

This temple is adorned with beautiful metal statues of Buddha Shakyamuni. In addition, there is also a unique collection of excavated bone and metals (asthidhatu).

Birla Temple

Built by the Birlas, one of India’s most influential industrialist families, this temple is close to the site of Buddha Shakyamuni’s parinirvana. Dedicated to the Hindu deity Lord Shiva, the Birla temple in Kushinagar has a marble statue of Buddha Shakyamuni, alluding to the closeness between the two faiths.

Ruins & Brick Structures

Remains of ancient buildings and other structures of varying size, many of which are still being excavated and identified, dot the Kushinagar landscape and make it a magnet for the intrepid pilgrim. Their presence is a testament to the great importance that the area held in the past, and also explains why Kushinagar is such a significant pilgrimage destination so many centuries later today.

Other Places of Interest

Notwithstanding its reputation as a centre of pilgrimage, Kushinagar has, over the years, developed other attractions that are worth a visit. The two best ones are the Government Kushinagar Museum and the Meditation Park.

Government Kushinagar Museum

Commonly known as Buddha Museum, this attraction is situated around half a kilometre from Mahaparinirvana Temple.

The highlight of the museum is the stucco statue of Lord Buddha in meditative posture, which is hailed as one of the finest specimens of the Gandhara School of Art.

The Government Kushinagar Museum is located 1 kilometre southeast of the Kushinagar bus stand and three kilometres from the Kasia bus stand.

Meditation Park

This is a small park close to the Mahaparinirvana shrine in Kushinagar. The serene ambience of the park and the beautiful surroundings, particularly the bodies of water with their exquisite bright green hues, make it a perfect meditation spot.

Pilgrims will find it a joy to concentrate their mental energies here, a place where so many ancient, learned beings stood, lived and preached. It is believed that their presence never completely fades from such holy sites.

Upcoming Destinations of Significance

The Maitreya Project

This is a beautiful and magnificent project initiated by Lama Yeshe who was deeply inspired by his first return to Tibet in 1981. According to the Buddhist scriptures, Maitreya Buddha is predicted to be the next Buddha among 1,000 Buddhas to manifest on this planet to spread teachings to bring us to liberation, known as the Dharma.

Kushinagar was chosen as the site of this project because according to the scriptures, it has been said that Kushinagar is the place where Maitreya Buddha (the fifth Buddha) will manifest.

The main focal point of the Maitreya Project is the bronze-plated statue of Maitreya Buddha himself. When completed, it will sit on a stone throne temple and rise to 500 feet (152m) tall.

Artist’s impression of the Kushinagar Maitreya Project

The Maitreya Project is being developed adjacent to the Mahaparinirvana Temple and Ramabhar Stupa. The choice of site is not by coincidence. When the project is finally completed, in close proximity to one another will be the site of Buddha Shakyamuni’s passing (Mahaparinirvana Temple), the site of his cremation (the Ramabhar Stupa), and the site where the next Buddha is predicted to manifest.

Japanese Garden

Construction is currently underway on this project spearheaded by the Japanese government. However, the grounds are already open to visitors from sunrise to sunset. The Uttar Pradesh government will take over maintenance of the grounds upon completion.

Major Festival – Buddha Purnima

Kushinagar is a centre of Buddhist celebrations because of the greatly historical events that have taken place here. One such celebration, the Buddha Purnima or Vaisakh Purnima (commonly referred as Wesak or Vesak Day in Malaysia), is the most important festival of the Buddhist calendar and sees the largest celebrations in Kushinagar.

This auspicious festival is celebrated to commemorate the three important stages of Buddha Shakyamuni’s life: His birth, enlightenment, and passing.

Pilgrims and other visitors are encouraged to visit and participate in the festivities and events. It is believed that auspicious astronomical alignments, upon which the exact date of Buddha Purnima is determined, strengthen the energies in and around Kushinagar on the day.

Location

Location map of Kushinagar in relation to Lumbini, Bodhgaya and Sarnath

Kushinagar, known as Kusinara during the Buddha’s time, is an important pilgrimage site for Buddhists because it is where Buddha Shakyamuni attained parinirvana after his passing. Many Buddhist practitioners, especially from Asia, yearn to visit Kushinagar at least once in their lifetime because of its importance to their faith.

Kushinagar, with its population of 17,983 people, is a town and a Nagar Panchayat (municipal council) in the Kushinagar district of the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is located around National Highway-28 (NH-28), and is 52 kilometres east of Gorakhpur city.

Walking tour map of Kushinagar

Best Time to Visit

Best time to visit: October to April (Winter)

Summer: March to May (20°C – 40°C)

Monsoon: June to September (28°C – 34°C)

Winter: October to March (12°C – 20°C)

Kushinagar experiences scorching heat during the summer and the wet rainy days during the monsoon season. However, the winter weather can be quite pleasant and this is considered the best time to visit.

Do remember to bring along a jacket and some warm clothing as the temperature at night can drop to as low as 12°C.

Transport

By Air

Gorakphur Airport: 44km away

Kasia Airstrip: 5km away

Amausi Airport (in the state capital of Lucknow): 252km away

Babatpur Airport (Varanasi): 286km away

By Rail

The nearest railway station is conveniently-located Gorakhpur. Gorakphur Train Station is well-connected to other important railway stations in major destinations, and can easily be reached.

By Road

National Highway-28 (NH-28) connects Kushinagar with other important destinations of the state.

Do’s and Don’ts

Lastly, if one were to pay a visit to the sacred sites and temples, here are some guidelines on what one should observe:

DO take off your shoes before entering the inner parts of the main temple/ stupa complex.

DO wear clothing that expresses respect for the sacred nature of the site. Revealing clothing, low necklines, high hems and shorts are greatly discouraged and will earn you disapproving looks from pilgrims there to pay their respects.

DO circumambulate the stupa and other sacred objects in a clockwise direction.

DO preserve the peace and tranquility of the temples and holy sites you are visiting. Keep your voice low. Loud voices and shouting are discouraged.

DO buy genuine or authenticated items to bring home as a souvenir. Beware of counterfeit items.

DON’T buy stolen artefacts as they may land you in the prison. It is illegal in India to export antiques, while their sale within the country is allowed only with a permit or licence. Please respect the cultural heritage of the country.

DON’T climb onto statues, monuments and other sacred objects. Remember these are objects of worship for another person’s religion. Respect their faith and help to preserve these sites for future generations ahead.

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This meme is powerful. Who you hang around with and the types of attitude they have is who you will be influenced by many times and who you will become in the future. Look at your friends and the people that always surround you to know who you will become.

Pilgrimage is very important to a Buddhist in order to open up a practitioner’s previous imprint. For me, this is my first time i heard Kushinagar. I am so excited after I read the history of this site. I like the MAITREYA project so much and wish to visit this holy site in future. This article benefit me and I gain knowledge on Buddhist Pilgrimage site.
Thanks Rinpoche and the writers.

I remembered many years ago during some of the teachings, Tsem Rinpoche has mentioned that these holy places are the special portals in this universe where holy beings and Buddha will come thru again and again and manifested here. This sounds to me like watching a Star Wars movie where the Millennium Falcon spaceship is travelling through the wormholes in super sonic speed, and the Buddha is travelling with a speed way surpass the Millennium Falcon from the pure land to the planet earth. All these possibilities and imagination has kept me interested in Buddhism since young. Holy places with huge Buddha images are like supercharge with good ions and antioxidants to keep our body and mind energetic. Thru the kindness of H.E. Tsem Rinpoche, I have the opportunity to learn about these holy places and started to visit them many years ago. I’m always excited and grateful to have the opportunity to near these places and said some prayers there.

Interesting another Holy place to go pilgrimage. Kushinagar, India is the holy site of the Buddha Shakyamuni’s death. Its not only a holy place of Buddhism. but also a place for visit to those who are in search of ultimate peace of mind and soul.
Rinpoche has mentioned before that any place where Buddha or other holy beings resided is is the best plce to on pilgrimage.The place is infused with holy energies to gain blessings and also to create the causes.
Worth to get a glimpse of others sacred beautiful and temples in Kushinagar too.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing these insight article of Kushinagar with us .

Visiting sacred pilgrim sites like Kushinagar which are highly charged with sacred energy and gaining immense blessings from such pilgrimages, make spiritual practitioners eager to visit them to create causes for their own future enlightenment. To me, visiting Kushinagar is a very special experience because this was where Lord Buddha had passed into mahaparinirava and given his last teachings on Impermanence and a very powerful reminder to all that we will all eventually gain enlightenment!

It is fitting and apt that temples have sprung up here representing different countries.This serves as a reminder that Lord Buddha’s teachings are indeed universal instructions and advice about how to free oneself from suffering , messages which are open to all to receive,regardless of race,colour or skin.

Lama Yeshe’s Maitreya Project links the Past to the Future. The very spot where Buddha Shakyamuni had passed away would be the spot where the future Buddha will manifest.

Thanks Rinpoche for sharing on “the Important Sites of Buddhist Pilgrimage”. It’s very detail and benefitial to those who plan to do this. And so much interesting to read through it too. I remember my last pilgrimage to Kathmandu and Lumbini in 2010. I done my study from the previously pilgrimage video records of Kechara Emotion. Still is not considered a completed site visit for me and Hank. And lot of unexpected body obstacle during the visit. I felt joys even though I don’t feeling well through the journey. And the holy site visit is very impressive to me.
May I have the opportunity to visit the India holy site in future. So much to learn during visit of the holy site. Rejoice to those who done it before.

Kushinagar is more than the place of Buddha Shakyamuni’s passing into mahaparinorvana. In his clairvoyance, Kushinagar was picked such that disputes within his sangha would be mediated by the Brahmin Doha and also for Subhadda to attain enlightenment. Such is the clairvoyance and compassion of the Buddha Shakyamuni.

But, what really struck me most was that the funeral pyre would not light though several attempts were made. And, that it lit up spontaneously after Mahakasyapa paid his respect. This reminds me so much of the funeral pyre of Tulku Drakpa Gyeltsen which would not light despite several attempts but lit spontaneously after the 5th Dalai Lama’s apology was read at the pyre.

And, here at Kushinagar, the various traditions of Buddhism have their temples to facilitate the pilgrims’ homage. Beautiful temples in offering to the Buddha Shakyamuni can be visited. The harmony exhibited and practiced within this holy site is really beautiful. Love, too the various beautiful temple architecture and culture of countries like Sri Lanka, Japan, Thailand and Myanmar showcased here.

Thank you, too, Rinpoche for pointing out the significance of the site of the Maitreya project founded by Lama Yeshe. After reading this, I’m sure many would understand and be really inspired to go on pilgrimage to Kushinagar.

Pilgrimages are such special travels to go on. Each religion has their own special places of pilgrimage and for those who have been on pilgrimages will talk of the energy of spirituality which they have experienced.

For the Buddhist one of the very pilgrimage place is Kushinagar where Shakyamuni Buddha passed into mahaparinivana and when he gave his last teaching and ordination of a monk.

From this article it is also seen that this final resting place of Shakyamuni Buddhas is very accommodating and temples from different traditions of Buddhism from many countries are built. Very encompassing as it is the nature of Buddhism.

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Lin Mun

Wednesday, Feb 21. 2018 09:35 PM

Thank you Rinpoche for this teaching and reminder. We always think we have so much time and concentrate so much in making our body look good and using it to generate wealth which in the end didn’t bring us anything happiness that can last long. We should in fact use our temporary body to work on bringing benefit on others and to generate more merits that can help ourselves and others. Hence we should do more dharma and not waste our time on unnecessary things that will attract us into more worldly actions.

The title ‘Great Scholar’ of India is truly appropriate for Professor Lokesh Chandra. His collection of work is marvellous and very beneficial to any student of Buddhism or spiritual aspirant! From his work, it is evident that Professor Lakesh has deep expertise in language with unequivocal understanding of the Buddhist text as well as superior knowledge of Buddhist iconography. I am at awe! I certainly look forward to reading some of Professor’s work. Thank you for this wonderful sharing, Rinpoche, Joy.

Stunning…… this very famous Vajrayogini – Ugra Tara temple situated in Sankhu, Kathmandu, Nepal full of history, legends and culture . This temple seem to have the greatest power of blessings for everyone who visited and seeing it. Vajrayogini is a Hindu goddess of knowledge and wisdom and for the Buddhist is also known as Ugra Tara . This temple was built dedicated to the goddess Vajrayogini ,has attracted thousands of pilgrims and tourists from all over the world. Sankhu is one of the sacred power places of Vajrayogini in Nepal . I do hope I can visit this beautiful sacred temple one day. Thank you Rinpoche and Pastor David for sharing with us. I loved looking at those beautiful pictures as shared.

Wow …having the Chinese New Year and the Tibetan New Year same day . That’s wonderful, auspicious and rare whereby everyone will be enjoying at the same time. Dorje Shugden’s precious advice during Lunar New Year 2018 is indeed timely. However small or big deeds is still very virtuous as long as we put in our best with a good motivation and a pure mind. All of us are fortunate to have met Rinpoche through kechara and have learned ,practiced Dharma. Without Rinpoche there is no Dharma…….we are indeed grateful . I am glad to have made the right choice to choose what i want to learn and practice .Having this precious advice from our powerful Protector Dorje Shugden is a blessing. May our compassionate Guru stays healthy and live long to continue turning the Dharma wheel to benefits all the sentient beings. May more and more people benefits from this precious advice and Dorje Shugden protections.
Thank you Dorje Shugden and Rinpoche for this powerful advice which I will bear in mind and had it bookmarked .

Life is made up of choices. I believe life is just a series of decisions we make, and depending on our choice, we have to live with the consequences of our choices. We are responsible for our own lives, and being accountable for whatever decisions we’ve made we can change our lives for the better. The choices we make, however, determine our happiness or our unhappiness. I did not realise much earlier but reading this profound teachings has taught me many and a wake up call for me.
“What you are today, is the choice you made yesterday……as said by Tsem Rinpoche
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this teachings

It is true all the emotions comes from our mind. Most of the time we tend to see a problem to be so big which we can actually have a choice to dilute it and make it smaller. We always have our expectation on everything and once it goes against ours, we are not happy and anger arise. Therefore we should control our mind and not let it direct us to think and act negatively.

It’s so heartwarming to watch the short video. The bond between Sirga and Valentine are so strong, like meeting an old friend. This video reminds me that animals is just like human and have feelings, therefore treat all of them with respect and care.

Thank you for sharing the updates on Buddhist community from Tibet and elsewhere. All these grand and meaningful events around the world since 2011 up until 2018 are now accessible to everyone, which was previously not made widely available. It goes to show that more and more people care and are interested about the news and movements of Tibetan Buddhism, particularly Dorje Shugden events. These events also dispel the myths that DS is a minor sect – check out the crowds! Massive numbers of sangha and lay people turn up at these events for the blessing and initiation to DS Sogtae. These events are evidence that religious freedom is enshrined in Tibet, China and other parts of the world; seems like the only place where there is no religious freedom for DS practitioners are under the rule of Dharamsala. Therefore, events updates of DS practitioners gathered together to receive initiation and teachings are really very encouraging. Rejoice to all who received the sogtae!

Thank you Rinpoche for the sharing. Can imagine the situation ,the pain and suffering of that poor pig. They the many of these sows live in cages just large enough to contain their bodies. Sows have a pregnancy lasting around four months and their freedom of movement are restricted .Sad to see that situation ,hoping more can be done to improve it. But the best choice is go on vegetarian so less killing , less consuming meat.

Happiness , depression, anger, frustration, bitterness is a choice. All is based on how we interpreting each situation in our life and the meaning we associate with. To feel happy, focus on things in our life that will make us feel happy. What ever we see and thinks can lead to thoughts and influences our performance. It is our emotions that influence the way we think and behave We are to accept and the ability to adapt to the challenges of our daily life. A powerful meaning behind this short story. Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this wonderful and powerful post that will helps us in our daily life.

Wow…. a brilliant picture of the two greatest masters of Tibetan Buddhism. Trijang Rinpoche was a Gelugpa monk and the 16th Karmapa, a Karma Kagyu, enjoying a beautiful relationship based on respect and trust. There were no conflict between them. It seem that in one lifetime, both of them did even interchange incarnations. There is an interesting story regarding both of them. Both enlightened manifesting again and again for the benefit of others .From the picture it tell us a thousands word of wisdom between both of them. H.H. the 16th Karmapa and H.H. Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche remained close friends throughout their life. Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this a brilliant picture of the two greatest masters for us and merely seeing it is a blessing.

Out of compassion, Buddha Manjushri emanate in the form of Dharma Protector Dorje Shugden to help us swiftly.

Now, with the blessings of our precious guru, we are so fortunate to receive these precious advice from Dorje Shugden. Dorje Shugden reminded us that dharma practice is based on our faith and pure motivation. When we do for any virtuous actions with the pure motivation and out of the Eight Worldly Concerns, it definitely will bring much beneficial not only ourselves but also many others. We should start to practice by letting go our small “self” and slowly let go the big “self”. Eventually we are able to do more that benefit others instead of only ourselves.

It’s so amazing that since thousand of years ago people already have such high technologies in constructing strong and amazing building that till today we may not necessary be able to achieve. Also it is just amazing that the mummies found in the temple were so well preserved. While many scientists and archeologists are trying their best to find out how, what and where about all this mysteries findings, I hope they use the right method to get into these place and with respect. After all , these places are suppose to be holy .

Messages from Rinpoche

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I must thank my dharma blog team who are great assets to me, Kechara and growth of dharma in this wonderful region. I am honoured and thrilled to work with them. I really am. Maybe I don't say it enough to them, but I am saying it now. I APPRECIATE THESE GUYS VERY MUCH!

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Dear everyone... This is a good condensed talk I gave on Guru Yoga of Tsongkapa. This is the one you should share with others when they are interested in a not too lengthy explanation. It is the perfect practice for everyone who wants simplicity yet effective blessings. You can share this with more people, it will be good.

External Articles

ANIMAL QUOTES

"If you say you don't have money to help a animal shelter, why then do you have money to buy meat?"

~ Tsem Rinpoche

"Eating animals is not our God-given right, but being kind to them is."

~ Tsem Rinpoche

"What makes us good humans is not how we abuse animals, but how much we allow them to live and be happy freely."

~ Tsem Rinpoche

"We need another and wiser and perhaps a more mythical concept of animals.... We patronize them for their incompleteness, for their tragic fate of having taken form so far below ourselves. And therein we err, and greatly err. For the animal shall not be measured by man. In a world older and more complex than ours they moved finished and complete, gifted with extensions of the senses we have lost or never attained, living by voices we shall never hear. They are not brethren, they are not underlings; they are other nations, caught with ourselves in the net of life and time, fellow prisoners of the splendour and travail of the earth."

~ Henry Beston, The Outermost House

"Not eating animals is only unnatural when we are not used to it."

~ Tsem Rinpoche

MOTIVATIONAL QUOTES

"We may encounter defeat, but we must not be defeated."

~ Tsem Rinpoche

"What you are today, is the choice you made yesterday."

~ Tsem Rinpoche

"You think you can choose your life? What an ego trip!"

~ Lama Yeshe

"If TODAY you are dissatisfied, you must make the changes to create different results for TOMORROW."

~ Tsem Rinpoche

SPIRITUAL QUOTES

“If one does the recitation of the Lama Tsongkhapa guru yoga prayer for even one month using one of the visualizations for great or clear or quick wisdom, one will definitely see development of that wisdom. It is proved by experience. There is no doubt that by doing the Lama Tsongkhapa guru yoga practice one can meet Lama Tsongkhapa’s teachings from life to life. And furthermore, it gives one the opportunity to be born in the pure realm of Lama Tsongkhapa, Tushita, whenever death happens.”

~ Pabongkha Rinpoche

"I was 18 years old in 1983. That was a very special year as I met His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche and received innumerable precious teachings and empowerments from Him at Thubten Dhargye Ling Centre in Los Angeles, California. It was the best time of my life. A time that seems so magical and surreal to me. Kyabje Zong Rinpoche is Heruka Buddha and I met Heruka."

~ Tsem Rinpoche

"If being me offends you, maybe I'm not the problem."

~ Tsem Rinpoche

"Never abandon your spiritual teacher no matter how many inner obstacles you need to overcome."

~ Tsem Rinpoche

"Actions to force something to be permanent makes all the karmas arise."

~ Tsem Rinpoche

"The dharma is not easy to listen to… because some people take it as criticism. But Dharma should not be just feel good only for the moment but for deeper contemplations."

~ Tsem Rinpoche

"Whether we do work and suffer but for others or we do work and suffer for ourselves, either way we have to suffer. That is the nature of samsara. So let us suffer for others and then suffering has meaning."

~ Tsem Rinpoche

"Those who really want the dharma to grow within themselves and to grow for others should never fear hard work, timing, difficulties, struggles, disappointments because it is for a good cause. Working for Dharma is not a prison or work, but it is purely spiritual practice. It is purely collection of merit and purification. Actually not doing dharma work is the real prison."

~ Tsem Rinpoche

"His Holiness Zong Rinpoche stressed the need to continue to practice even when we come up against obstacles, and that we should continually review our progress. He stated that a happy, luxurious life was like a good dream, and that obstacles and difficulties were like a bad dream. We should give them no significance, but simply carry on working towards real, everlasting happiness."

LIFE QUOTES

"I pity men who occupy themselves exclusively with the transitory in things and lose themselves in the study of what is perishable, since we are here for this very end-that we may make the perishable imperishable, which we can do only after we have learned how to approach both."

~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

"Money amplifies negative characteristics and that can cause problems.
To walk away from that was actually very easy. I didn't even consider it."

~ Angeline Francis Khoo

"I shall not commit the fashionable stupidity of regarding everything I cannot explain as a fraud."

~ Carl Jung

"There is a devil there is no doubt, but is he trying to get into us or trying to get out?"

~ Tsem Rinpoche

"If you love someone, show it by being honest, respectful & honorable with them."

~ Tsem Rinpoche

"It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see."

~ Henry David Thoreau

"If I can just be the way I am & you the way you are & we accept each other, world peace is near."

~ Tsem Rinpoche

"I am Asian, you are some other beautiful color. Together we make diversity so beautiful."

~ Tsem Rinpoche

"It's amazing how some people have never met me or know who I am, but based on a few things they read here & there & rumours, they have formulated a new personality for me & all the things I've never done they passionately speak about....I find it funny and entertaining now. I guess we can't spend our lives fighting rumours...we just have to work hard & then rumours get proven wrong on it's own as a by product. No point explaining repeatedly. Just do our work & show results!!"

~ Tsem Rinpoche

"There's a difference between patience and laziness. Patience comes from respect while laziness from disrespect of others."

~ Tsem Rinpoche

"Although outwardly we have so much, we have so many conveniences, inwardly we have become more unhappy, so, acquisition is not the secret to happiness. The more we get, the more we have, the more unhappy we become."

~ Tsem Rinpoche

"Before we experience any pain, we already had a fixed view of how things should be. When the experience we encounter contradicts our views, then the pain arises. The pain arises due to our fixed views not so much the experience itself. So the secret is changing the views. Re-educating ourselves on our views."

~ Tsem Rinpoche

"You know since very young, for better or worse, I always did the things that others told me not to do. I wasn't really good at following the rules. Even now with how I share Dharma and my practice, I just do it the way I think it should be done but I do it sincerely. Not what others tell me what I can and can't do."

~ Tsem Rinpoche

"Love me or hate me, both are in my favor... If you love me, I'll always be in your heart... If you hate me, I'll always be in your mind."

~ William Shakespeare

"One isn't necessarily born with courage, but one is born with potential. Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can't be kind, true, merciful, generous or honest."

The Unknown

The Known and unknown are both feared,
Known is being comfortable and stagnant,
The unknown may be growth and opportunities,
One shall never know if one fears the unknown more than the known.
Who says the unknown would be worse than the known?
But then again, the unknown is sometimes worse than the known. In the end nothing is known unless we endeavour,
So go pursue all the way with the unknown,
because all unknown with familiarity becomes the known.
~Tsem Rinpoche

Photos On The Go

Click on the images to view the bigger version. And scroll down and click on "View All Photos" to view more images.

Here, His Holiness Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche (left), one of the tutors of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, confers one of the many countless tantric initiations on the Dalai Lama (right). You can see a young Dalai Lama bowing in this picture with Trijang Rinpoche blessing him. Trijang Rinpoche is therefore undoubtedly the Dalai Lama’s tantric master. A great master at that. Tsem Rinpoche

3 weeks ago

This is a very sacred statue of Buddha Chenresig (Avalokitesvara/Kuan Yin) that manifested many miracles in North India. Read and see more pictures and understand the background here: http://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=153802

3 weeks ago

Wonderful updated version of The Promise book is out! Please get your copy. Much more new information included.

Beautiful and sacred Vajra Yogini in Pharping, Nepal. The caretaker said it was owned by the Great Marpa the translator who was the guru of Milarepa. Wow.

1 month ago

In the Lankavatara Sutra, Lord Buddha says: "For innumerable reasons, the Bodhisattva, whose nature is compassion, is not to any meat. Thus Mahamati, whenever there is the evolution of living beings, let people cherish the thought of kinship with them, and thinking that all beings are [to be loved as if they were] and only child, let them refrain from eating meat. Mahamati, meat is not eaten by anybody for any reason, there will be no destroyer of life. Thus, Mahamati, meat-eating I have not permitted to anyone, I do not permit, I will not permit."

1 month ago

At times I have to be a trendsetter in spirituality as opposed to just being a follower and that is why I take chances and try. I may not be liked always for it, but I have to do it. In this way I have been introducing Dorje Shugden to the world. I know Shugden is good and will help so many and that is why I do it.

1 month ago

Courage is doing something you know the majority will not agree with and perhaps even some will scorn you for it, but you do it anyway because you know it's right and will benefit people at the cost of your own reputation. That's how I feel when I share Dorje Shugden's practice with the world.

1 month ago

Courage is doing something you know the majority will not agree with and perhaps even some will scorn you for it, but you do it anyway because you know it's right and you are true to yourself.

1 month ago

At times I have to be a trendsetter in spirituality as opposed to just being a follower and that is why I take chances and try. I may not be liked always for it, but I have to do it. In this way I have been introducing Dorje Shugden to the world. I know Shugden is good and will help so many and that is why I do it.

1 month ago

Courage is doing something you know the majority will not agree with and perhaps even some will scorn you for it, but you do it anyway because you know it's right and you are true to yourself.

1 month ago

Courage is doing something you know the majority will not agree with and perhaps even some will scorn you for it, but you do it anyway because you know it's right and will benefit people at the cost of your own reputation. That's how I feel when I share Dorje Shugden's practice with the world.

2 months ago

Beautiful Buddha built in Sarnath, India. Sarnath was the place where Lord Buddha first starting teaching the sacred Dharma. Tsem Rinpoche

2 months ago

This is so good. I need to remember this and not allow people to do this to me anymore. Being kind is one thing, but when they are doing it and it harms, it is not a matter of kindness anymore but taking advantage.

A gorgeous Dorje Shugden painted in traditional art style of China. Chinese art has flourished for over 5,000 years and highly sought after. This form of Dorje Shugden is sitting on a seat as you see painted in his chapel (Trode Khangsar) in Lhasa, Tibet. Dorje Shugden can be on a seat or Lion. More downloads here. http://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/downloads/buddha-images.html

3 months ago

Dear friends, The Dorje Shugden oracle of Gaden Shartse Monastery was authorized and blessed by both Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche and Kyabje Zong Rinpoche. He was a favorite among high lamas for his smooth trances and clear prophecies. This video is a one-of-a-kind where you see the Choyang Dulzin Kuten oracle take trance of the peaceful form of Dorje Shugden wearing the robes of a high lama giving teachings, blessings and transmissions. Very sacred and rare video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pawS1TMOe8k

The Huffington Post extensively covers the Dorje Shugden issue. I had no idea that this article was being written. I was not contacted, not asked for an interview or asked for any comments, and then it was published and my students alerted me to it. So it was a very, very pleasant and encouraging surprise to read such balanced coverage from such a reputable news website. You can read it here: http://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=149806

(Drepung) Dear friends, In the effort to be creative about something as holy and beneficial as Dorje Shugden, we've come out with these new and realistic depictions. One is Dorje Shugden visiting the Potala Palace and the other is Dorje Shugden arising from Drepung Monastery where he lived in Zimkhang Gangma Ladrang as a high lama. Please enjoy and be blessed. Sincerely, Tsem Rinpoche (High resolution downloads: http://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/downloads/buddha-images.html )

3 months ago

Dear friends, In the effort to be creative about something as holy and beneficial as Dorje Shugden, we've come out with these new and realistic depictions. One is Dorje Shugden visiting the Potala Palace and the other is Dorje Shugden arising from Drepung Monastery where he lived in Zimkhang Gangma Ladrang as a high lama. Please enjoy and be blessed. Sincerely, Tsem Rinpoche (High resolution downloads: http://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/downloads/buddha-images.html )

Dear friends, This meme is powerful. Who you hang around with and the types of attitude they have is who you will be influenced by many times and who you will become in the future. Look at your friends and the people that always surround you to know who you will become. Tsem Rinpoche

4 months ago

October 2017, His Holiness Gaden Trisur Rinpoche Jetsun Lungrik Namgyal graciously reading our Kechara album and updates as presented by Beng Kooi and Martin. He was very pleased with our progress and offers his blessings. Tsem Rinpoche

4 months ago

His Holiness Gaden Trisur Rinpoche grants audience to Beng Kooi and Martin in France. Read more on His Holiness Gaden Trisur Rinpoche: http://bit.ly/1PlaNNS

4 months ago

Recently Beng Kooi and Martin on behalf of myself and Kechara was lucky to have audience with His Holiness Gaden Trisur Rinpoche Jetsun Lungrik Namgyal of Gaden Shartse Monastery. He lives in around Paris, France. His Holiness is 91 years old and very healthy and alert. He was the 101st throne holder for Tsongkapa and was the head of the Gelugpa school of Buddhism and was very successful during his tenure. He is a strong practitioner of both Sutra and Tantra of Je Tsongkapa's tradition and a master of all Buddhist knowledge. He holds steadfast to his protector Dorje Shugden very strongly. So we can see even the highest throneholders who are masters of Sutra and Tantra also practices Dorje Shugden knowing the benefits.
Beng Kooi and Martin brought photo albums of Kechara Forest Retreat/Kechara and updates on Kechara and our works. His Holiness was very pleased to listen and offered some gifts back.
This is a beautiful picture and the great blessings bestowed on us from His Holiness Gaden Trisur Rinpoche Jetsun Lungrik Namgyal.
Humbly, Tsem Rinpoche
Read more on His Holiness Gaden Trisur Rinpoche: http://bit.ly/1PlaNNS

Beng Kooi meeting with the scholar and teacher Geshe Konchok Gyeltsen lak. Geshe Konchok Gyeltsen has been very active and you can see his youtubes in Tibetan speaking about the benefits of Dorje Shugden practice. He is a direct student of Trijang Rinpoche and Zong Rinpoche.

4 months ago

Martin meeting with Gen Tashi. Gen Tashi is a very devoted and committed activist of Dorje Shugden's cause. He is tireless in speaking for the truth. They enjoyed sharing some time together.

4 months ago

Martin meeting with the well known strong and devoted Dorje Shugden activist and scholar Geshe Konchok Gyeltsen lak. Geshe lak was very happy to meet Martin and shared so much wonderful information. Beautiful meeting.

A mother's love is made up of a deep sense of care, of sacrifice and pain as a mother's heart is always with her children. Watch this touching video.

3 months ago

Dorje Shugden & Ministers

Dorje Shugden and his two ministers, Kache Marpo and Namka Barzin. Vajrasecrets.com

3 months ago

Cham Dance

Cham is sacred dance. A dance that enacts the life story of a holy being. By participating in Cham, one is blessed to see the sacred life story of a being celebrated. This is a cham on Dorje Shugden. It\\\'s a short clip but interesting none-the-less. Tsem Rinpoche

3 months ago

The great Gautama Siddhartha meditating intensely is protected by the King of Nagas during heavy rains

The King of Nagas knows this great being Siddhartha will soon become the Buddha. By offering his own body as shelter to the Buddha to be, he honours the state of enlightenment which will be won and gains merit for himself for his future lives although he is a naga now. The pre-eminent Buddha is an object of perfect offering gaining great merits for all beings. Tsem Rinpoche

4 months ago

This topic is so hot in many circles right now.

This video is thought-provoking and very interesting. Watch! Thanks so much to our friends at LIVEKINDLY.

4 months ago

Chiropractic CHANGES LIFE for teenager with acute PAIN & DEAD LEG.

4 months ago

BEAUTIFUL PLACE IN NEW YORK STATE-AMAZING.

4 months ago

Leonardo DiCaprio takes on the meat Industry with real action.

4 months ago

Do psychic mediums have messages from beyond?

4 months ago

Lovely gift for my 52nd Birthday. Tsem Rinpoche

4 months ago

This 59-year-old chimpanzee was refusing food and ready to die until...

she received “one last visit from an old friend” 💔💔

4 months ago

Bigfoot sighted again and made it to the news.

4 months ago

Casper is such a cute and adorable. I like him.

4 months ago

Dorje Shugden Monastery Amarbayasgalant Mongolia's Ancient Hidden Gem

4 months ago

Don't you love Hamburgers? See how 'delicious' it is here!

4 months ago

Such a beautiful and powerful message from a person who knows the meaning of life. Tsem Rinpoche

4 months ago

What the meat industry figured out is that you don't need healthy animals to make a profit.

Sick animals are more profitable... farms calculate how close to death they can keep animals without killing them.
That's the business model.
How quickly they can be made to grow, how tightly they can be packed, how much or how little can they eat, how sick they can get without dying...
We live in a world in which it's conventional to treat an animal like a block of wood.
~ Jonathan Safran Foer

4 months ago

This video went viral and it's a must watch!!

5 months ago

SEE HOW THIS ANIMAL SERIAL KILLER HAS NO ISSUE BLUDGEONING THIS DEFENSELESS BEING.

This happens daily in slaughterhouse so you can get your pork and Bak ku teh. Stop eating meat.

5 months ago

Beautiful Buddha being sculpted from clay.

5 months ago

After a while, you are are numb and you just keep doing it. You don’t know what you are doing and you don’t see it for what it really is. Tsem Rinpoche

This is how the chickens are killed in the farm, they die a very horrible death.

5 months ago

America likes to police the world but their own record of civil rights is not on track. Watch this video from people of color in the US.

5 months ago

Important video to watch and learn.

5 months ago

Bigfoot’s voice captured on tape.

5 months ago

Amazing video that you will not regret watching.

6 months ago

Norma Jean

These are the heartbreaking scenes we see over and over again, that we share in the hopes of telling the stories of those who otherwise would have suffered and vanished from this earth without a trace. This is Norma Jean. Free for a little over five months, she knew more happiness than millions of her sisters ever will. But she couldn’t escape the fate genetically programmed into her as an egg producing machine. She seemed more lethargic than usual this morning, so we brought her inside to administer fluids and antibiotics in the hopes of pulling her through until we could get her in to see our vet. She couldn’t hang on. She died this evening shortly after this video was taken, severely infected from the rotting egg yolk adhered to various organs throughout her abdominal cavity. Like virtually every single one of her sisters, caged or free range, rescued or not, she paid the ultimate price for eggs (from FB)

6 months ago

If you want to change the world, start of by making your bed

If you want to change the world, measure a person by the size of their heart

6 months ago

Canadian PM Justin Trudeau visits a Hindu mandir (temple)

While on a visit to a Hindu mandir (temple), Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks on diversity as Canada's strength.

ASK A PASTOR

A section for you to clarify your Dharma questions with Kechara’s esteemed pastors.

Just post your name and your question below and one of our pastors will provide you with an answer.

Scroll down and click on "View All Questions" to view archived questions.

CHAT PICTURES

Dear blog friends, you can submit your photos to this section by sending an email to tblogpics@gmail.com. Include your message in the "Subject" field (up to 250 characters only). Be sure to include your name in the subject field too!

"Pray to Tara for everything from business success, the safety and happiness of our family, it will be beneficial. As stated in the praise: “Desiring children you will gain offsprings; seek wealth and you will be granted riches; whatever you desire you will obtain”." From Dorje Shugden's Advice for the New Year 2018 http://bit.ly/2CAA853

Princess Dewa Nimbo once said that if Tsem Rinpoche was really a high lama, he would eventually find his own way back onto his spiritual path. The Promise tells the story of it.
Be inspired by #ThePromise & join our #TwitterChat #contest!
https://twitter.com/ThePromiseBio

4 days ago

Happy Chinese New Year! May everyone be blessed by Dorje Shugden and Gyenze. Pastor Antoinette

4 days ago

Burning Huge Incense for an Auspicious New Year of the Dog at Gyenze Chapel, Kechara Forest Retreat, Pastor Antoinette

5 days ago

The young participants of W.O.A.H. Camp focus and listened to Teacher Kien on how to do DIY colourful candle. Alice Tay, KSDS

5 days ago

Lively kids move their body and dance together with the teachers. Alice Tay, KSDS

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You are the one from which I got the Buddha Dharma deeply please continue your Budhisattva's action to benefit all beings. Thank you so so so so much....()... I pray ... Read More

I have the pleasure and privilege of receiving 2 sets of the greeting cards as gifts from a wonderful person with a beautiful soul (and she's beautiful too!) who introduced ... Read More

Without Zong Rinpoche, we will not have Tsem Rinpoche. Without Tsem Rinpoche, we will not have Kechara and all the beautiful teachings, love, care, understanding, changes in lives, people that ... Read More